Below is our intended Careers Programme which outlines some of the work we undertake throughout the year and how it maps to the Gatsby Benchmarks. It is important to note that this programme is subject to change, particularly during the pandemic.
Our schools take every opportunity to enhance students’ understanding of career opportunities by supporting national initiatives, such as Careers Week via the assembly programme accompanied by relevant materials. We ensure that all curriculum areas enhance careers education by delivering core skills such as problem solving, communicating effectively, working collaboratively and independently throughout their schemes of work. Students and parents have been, and will continue to be informed about relevant, age appropriate virtual careers materials, events and labour market information and opportunities.
Stalham High School
Year 7 receive an assembly which focuses on an introduction to the world of work. They are given information about different websites that help them to explore careers via a variety of websites. Gatsby benchmarks 1 & 3.
Year 8 students attend an assembly which outlines the option choices available to them at GCSE. They are encouraged to do some independent research before making their choices so that they have an awareness of which subjects they need to study if they have a particular career pathway in mind. They also have the opportunity to meet with a careers adviser to discuss options and possible career pathways. Students study a unit of work in Society and Ethics which allows them to explore in more detail the variety of job opportunities and qualifications needed to move on to the next stage of their education or training. COVID permitting, students participate in a number of activities both inside and out of school which enable them to develop their understanding of the world of work and career opportunities. Gatsby benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8.
Year 9 students are encouraged to enhance their understanding of the world of work in an assembly which has post 16 choices as its main focus. During this assembly students are made aware of the variety of opportunities there are locally but also further afield. In Year 9 all students attend a Careers Fair held at the school. We invite prospective employers and post 16 providers to our careers fair. Students are prepared in advance. They are given information about each institution and then make guided choices to spend some time within a small group with each organisation. Students are encouraged to make appointments with the careers adviser to follow up any queries they have as a result of this event. Gatsby benchmarks 1 to 8.
Year 10 students are given an individual career appointment which is organised for them during the spring and summer terms. They are supported to explore their interests and receive a written action plan to take home and discuss with their parents / carers who are also given the option of contacting the careers adviser for more information. In the summer term all students have the opportunity to visit a post 16 provider such as East Norfolk Sixth Form or East Coast College. We also organise an employability day during which students are required to attend an interview with a prospective employer. They are prepared for this event and have to prepare a CV, giving brief information about themselves. Gatsby benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8.
Year 11 students are given additional individual careers appointments as required to support them to make their applications to post 16 providers. They are encouraged to attend open evenings at local colleges. Students are also given assemblies each week in the autumn term from training providers to learn about post 16 options. These include an introduction to HelpYouChoose and assemblies from Paston College, City College Norwich, Easton College, East Coast College, East Norfolk Sixth Form, UTCN, Sir Isaac Newton/Jane Austen College, Sheringham Sixth Form and ASK Apprenticeships. Students are further supported after their applications through individual career meetings for interview support, preparing for next steps, CV support and time management skills. Targeted support is provided for those interested in apprenticeships. Gatsby Benchmarks 1 to 8.
Sheringham High School & Sixth Form
Year 7 receive an assembly which focuses on an introduction to the world of work. They are given information about different websites that help them to explore careers via a variety of websites. Gatsby benchmarks 1 & 3.
Year 8 students attend an assembly which outlines the option choices available to them at GCSE. They are encouraged to do some independent research before making their choices so that they have an awareness of which subjects they need to study if they have a particular career pathway in mind. They also have the opportunity to meet with a careers adviser to discuss options and possible career pathways. Students study a unit of work in Philosophy and Ethics / Society and Ethics which allows them to explore in more detail the variety of job opportunities and qualifications needed to move on to the next stage of their education or training. COVID permitting, students participate in a number of activities both inside and out of school which enable them to develop their understanding of the world of work and career opportunities. Gatsby benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8.
Year 9 students are encouraged to enhance their understanding of the world of work in an assembly which has post 16 choices as its main focus. During this assembly students are made aware of the variety of opportunities there are locally but also further afield. In Year 9 all students attend a Careers Fair held at the school. We invite prospective employers and post 16 providers to our careers fair. Students are prepared in advance. They are given information about each institution and then make guided choices to spend some time within a small group with each organisation. Students are encouraged to make appointments with the careers adviser to follow up any queries they have as a result of this event. Gatsby benchmarks 1 to 8.
Year 10 students are given an individual career appointment which is organised for them during the spring and summer terms. They are supported to explore their interests and receive a written action plan to take home and discuss with their parents / carers who are also given the option of contacting the careers adviser for more information. In the summer term all students visit a post 16 provider such as Easton / City College and many visit UEA. We also organise an employability day during which students are required to attend an interview with a prospective employer. They are prepared for this event and have to prepare a CV, giving brief information about themselves. Gatsby benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8.
Year 11 students are given additional individual careers appointments as required to support them to make their applications to post 16 providers. They are encouraged to attend open evenings at local colleges as well as the School’s own post 16 events. The Head of Sixth Form organises an assembly to give them the necessary information about the event and they and their parents are invited to attend. In November, they have the opportunity to attend “taster sessions” of Sixth Form lessons at Sheringham. Gatsby Benchmarks 1 to 8.
Sixth form students are given a range of careers activities, assemblies, workshops, tutorials, SMSC days, Futures Day and trips throughout their time in the sixth form. All students are regularly mentored through the tutorial programme. All students further have access and opportunity to have a one-to-one, impartial careers meeting with a qualified careers advisor in year 12 and year 13 which is booked and timetabled. All students are provided the opportunity to research and learn about a range of pathways after sixth form such as apprenticeships, higher education, employment or gap year.
A further detailed careers programme for the sixth form can be found on the sixth form website and as attached. Gatsby Benchmarks 1 to 8.
